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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the break after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and changed the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered enough proof to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the results," the manager added

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the way they have performed in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"